Shade for headlights



PATENT OFFICE'.

GEORGE 1. EUSTIS, OF WASHINGTON, DISTRICT 0F COLUMBIA.

sirena non HnaDmGH'rs.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented ont. 1s, '1921.

Application filed November 29, 1920. Serial No. 427,104.

To all w hom it may concern Be it known that I, GEORGE P. EUsTrs, a citizen of the United States, residing at lfashing'ton, District of Columbia, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Shades for Headlights, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to certain new and useful improvements in means for the covering or shading of lamp bulbs and it has .more particular relation to the covering or shading of electric light bulbshused in the headlights of automobiles or other similar vehicles.

Itis very desirable that auto cars traveling upon unlighted highways, such as country roads, should have means to thoroughly illuminate the roadway and thus prevent accidents. Heretofore, the difficulty hasbeen, that in providing lamps with reflectors and with electric light bulbs of high candle power, for this purpose, the glare of the' lights have been such as for the time being to nearly blind the driver of an approaching car and render him incapable of managing his vehicle.

The matter of carrying lights strong enough to properly illuminate the road and at the same time so regulated as not to adversely affect the drivers of approaching cars or pedestrians, has been the subject of legislation in many of the States.

One of the objects of my invention is to provide .a shade for automobile head lights which while permitting of the thorough illumination of the roadway will properly guard against any blinding effect upon those approaching and using said roadway from the up and side reflected rays of the v lamp.

Another object of my invention as therein set forth, is to provide a shade which can be used in lamps having plain glass fronts, thus avoiding the necessity and expense of pur? chasing any so-called anti-glare lenses, which absorb light.

It has been found in practice that a screen made of a translucent material, such as gauze is successful for the purpose intended. Such a screen permits the rays of light to lter through but stops absolutely the unlawful .up and side reflected rays.

' With these and other objects in view which may be incident to my improvements, the invention consists in the parts and combina tions to be hereinafter set for'th and claimed,

with the understanding that the several necessary elements comprising my invention, may be varied in construction, proportions and arrangement, without departing from the spirit and scope of the appended claims.

In order to make my invention more clearly understood, I have'shown in the accompanying drawings means for carrying the same into practical effect, which for the purpose of explanation, have been made the subject of illustration.

In the drawings:

Figure l is a side elevation of an automobileheadlight mostly in section showing my shade applied to the electric light bulb.

Fig. 2 is a front view of the bulb with a cover showing it attached. Y

Fig. 3 is a plan view Yof the cover unattached.

Fig. 4 is a plan View of a modified form of cover unattached.

The numeral 5, refers to the body of an automobile headlight of the usual or any approved construction. In the present inber or casing 6, and inner member or refflector 7. The latter turns outwardly at its outer edge and forms a flange 8, against which the back of the glass `9, of the lamp rests. In order that the contact between the glass and the metal may be somewhat of a yielding nature, the face 8 is provided with a slight groove as at 10, so as to permit of the insertion therein of a packing l1, to protect the glass from breakage due to sudden jar. The numeral 12, refers to a metallic hoop or annular band, one end 13, of which is properly secured to the casing 6, and the other end 14, of which abuts against the glass 9, and holds it in place.

The electric light bulb 15, is mounted in any approved manner in the rear portion of the lamp, at approximately the center of the reflector, as by means of a tubular post lf3, which extends through the casing 6i, and the reflector 7, and is suitably secured in place'. The construction of the lamp proper however, may be of an approved desi gn as it, of itself, does not form the subject matter of my invention, and I therefore slow only in conventional form.

The numeral 17, represents a shade or cover for the electric light bulb and it may be of square, round or equilater'al configuration. It is made of flexible material so that it may be stretched to accommodate itself vmade preferably to the ulb and is provided with apertures 17. It may be ot' any suitable material, such as cotton, wool, artificial silk, etc., and may be knitted or crocheted by hand, or made by machinery, as desired. On one side there is a loop 18, and at a point approximately opposite thereto, are two strings or cords 19, of the same material as the body, and integrally therewith, the purpose of which will presently appear. The article l knitted to have considerable ileaibility, and may fit any of two or three bulbs approximately the same size.

As will be noted by referring,r to Fig. 1, the

`electric light bulb used in this instance is of the ordinary construction and is provided at its outer end with the usual glass point 21. Over this I put the loop 18, of my shade, the strings or cords 19, being tied over the other end; that is to say, at that part of the lamp which is screwed into the socket.

The shade when in place, covers the lower part of the electric light bulb and prevents the strong glare which would otherwise occur.

The size and shape of the apertures is of course a matter of experiment, adjustment and balance to secure the best results and depends also to some extent upon the size and power of the bulb used. The shade may be rendered fire-proof if desired; a good article however may be inade without this.

- l claim;

1. In a headlight, the combination with an electric bulb and its reflector, of a removable elastic textile fabric screen, a loop at one end thereof by which it may be mounted upon one end of the electric bulb, and means at the other end, for attaching the rear end of the screen to the other end of the bulb.

2. As an article of manufacture, a detachable screen for automobile headlights comprising' an elastic textile fabric, a loop at one end whereby the screen may be readily fastened upon the point of an electric light bulb, and cords for fastening,` its other end to said bulb.

3. In a headlight, the combination with an electric bulb and its reflector, of a removable elastic textile fabric screen, having apertures through which certain of the rays of light may pass unimpeded, a. loop at one end thereof by which it may be mounted upon one end of the electric bulb, and means at the other end, for attaching the rear end of the screen to the other end of the bulb.

4. As an article of manufacture, a detachable screen for automobile headlights comprising an elastic fire-proof textile fabric, having apertures through which certain of the rays of light may pass unimpeded, a loop at one end whereby the screen may be readily fastened upon the point of an electric light bulb, and cords for fastening` its other end to said bulb.

In testimony whereof I aflix my signature.

GEORGE P. EUSTIS. 

